Human rights violations and Tigray conflict cause EU to withdraw Eritrea funding and reconsider ‘dual-track approach’
26 Apr 2021

Human rights violations and Tigray conflict cause EU to withdraw Eritrea funding and reconsider ‘dual-track approach’

by | posted in: Eritrea, Eritrea Road Project, EU funding, European Commission, European Parliament, European Politics, European Union, Forced labour, Horn of Africa region, Human Rights abuses, Human Trafficking | 0

The use of conscripted labour in EU projects and Eritrea’s engagement in committing human rights violations in the Tigray Region have prompted the European Commission (EC) to “de-commit” more than €100 million from eight upcoming Eritrean development projects. A letter written by Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, revealed that nine projects worth €141.3 million were initially approved for implementation through the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) but due to concerns over Eritrea’s stance on human rights, only one project, valued at  €19 million, was disbursed. This recent move has highlighted the friction within the EU’s “dual-track” approach to Eritrea which attempts to mix development assistance and political dialogue.

News Highlights: Eritrea admits its soldiers are in Tigray, Trafficker Kidane sentenced in absentia, 41 dead off the coast of Tunisia
23 Apr 2021

News Highlights: Eritrea admits its soldiers are in Tigray, Trafficker Kidane sentenced in absentia, 41 dead off the coast of Tunisia

by | posted in: Africa, Asylum Seekers, Coast guards, Deportation, Eritrea, Ethiopia, EU funding, European Commission, European Parliament, European Politics, European Union, Horn of Africa region, Human Rights abuses, IOM, Italy, Libya, Malnutrition, Migration, Netherlands, Refugee Camps, Starvation, The Netherlands, Unaccompanied Minors, UNHCR, United Nations | 0

In this week’s news highlights: Eritrea acknowledges presence of its soldiers in Tigray – UN indicates no sign of withdrawal; “A Tigrayan womb should never give birth” – a report by Al Jazeera; CARE warns of “potentially catastrophic levels” of food insecure people in Tigray; Escaped human trafficker tried in absentia, leaving survivors disillusioned; MSF reports testimonies of victims from Adwa bus station attack; 41 dead off the coast of Tunisia;  Smugglers in Greece used torture to extract payment; Illegal refugee deportations in EU acknowledged by Serbian court ruling; EU pledges humanitarian aid to Tigray and Ethiopia; An investigation found over 18,000 unaccompanied child migrants disappeared in Europe; Recent wiretap leaks show Libyan indifference in saving migrants and Italy knew, says The Guardian; Salvini to stand trial; and IOM and the Netherlands “COMPASS initiative” partnering with 12 African countries.

News Highlights: Starvation crimes reported in Tigray, EU leaders support Libya’s ‘migration management’, Protests in Greece
9 Apr 2021

News Highlights: Starvation crimes reported in Tigray, EU leaders support Libya’s ‘migration management’, Protests in Greece

by | posted in: Abiy Ahmed, Africa, Asylum Seekers, Coast guards, Deportation, Doctors without Borders, EEPA news and activities, Eritrea, Ethiopia, European Commission, European Parliament, European Politics, European Union, Greece, Horn of Africa region, Human Rights abuses, Libya, Malta, Médecins Sans Frontières, Migration, Protest, Refugee Camps, Refugees in the EU, Relocation system, Sea-Watch, Search and Rescue Operations, Somalia, South Sudan, Turkey, UNHCR, United Nations, United States, US, Weekly news highlights | 0

In this week’s news highlights: World Peace Foundation reports intentional starvation in Tigray; 35 christians arrested in Eritrea; Women and girls released after being abducted in South Sudan, more remain missing; Refugees face insecurity amid Kenya’s decision to shut down refugee camps; Somalia publishes plans for a durable social development strategy for IDPs;  EU and US possibly “working closely” on Tigray conflict; EU applauds Libyan interim government for “migration management”; EU is concerned about Turkish human rights violations but renews migrant deal; Tensions between Greece and Turkey over migration; Spanish riot police fire rubber bullets at migrants and refugees clashing over food; Lesbos refugees denounce dire conditions as EU promises to build new migrant facilities; 37 NGOs call for transparency as Maltese Armed Forces are accused of halting rescue operation; and UNHCR sheds light on lack of vaccines for refugees.